-overall process can be expensive Future of Biomass -new technologies are being developed -relatively small investment-government support-a growing market really, an energy source is considered renewable if it is derived from natural proceses and is replenished constantly Renewable vs Nonrenewable Future is bright? Hydropower is electricity generated using the energy of moving water. Hydropower is one of the oldest methods of producing powerHydropower is the most important and widely-used renewable source of energy.Hydropower represents 19% of total electricity production.Approximately two-thirds of the economically feasible potential remains to be developed. Features of Hydropower How Hydropower plants work ? Dam - Most hydropower plants rely on a dam that holds back water, creating a large reservoir.

Turbine - The water strikes and turns the large blades of a turbine.

Generators - As the turbine blades turn, so do a series of magnets inside the generator. Giant magnets rotate past copper coils, producing alternating current (AC) by moving electrons.

Transformer - The transformer inside the powerhouse takes the AC and converts it to higher-voltage current. Inside of Generator Hydroelectric power for the Nation Although most energy in the United States is produced by fossil-fuel and nuclear power plants, hydroelectricity is still important to the Nation, as about 7 percent of total power is produced by hydroelectric plants. Future: Potential at Nonpowered Dams in the US A new report released by the Energy Department analyzes the potential to generate clean hydroelectric energy at existing dams across the United States.

Thousands of dams across the country are not currently equipped to produce power. The report finds that if fully developed, these existing dams could provide an electrical generating capacity of more than 12 gigawatts (GW). This amounts to increasing existing U.S. conventional hydropower capacity by roughly 15%. Future: Potential at Nonpowered Dams in the US Water is free and renewableFuel is not burned so there is minimal pollutionHydropower plays a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissionsRelatively low operations and maintenance costsThe technology is reliable and proven over time High investment costsHydrology dependentIn some cases, hydropower could have large impacts on environment.Good spots has been taken Pros & Cons Applications Ohio State University Pros Cons Almost entirely emission-free

Not subject to fluctuations

Small footprint

Virtually limitless

Inherently simple and reliable Prime sites are location specific and tend to be far away from population centers

Losses come with long distance transmission of electricity

Drilling into heated rock is difficult and expensive Future The future of geothermal energy is uncertain.

Cost, future research, and market demand will greatly influence the use of geothermal energy in the future. Theory Origins/History Examples/Application Farming Sailing Pros/Cons & Future Convert kinetic energy from the wind to a useful form of energy using a wind turbine Useful form of energy: